On Tuesday, July 14 the world powers announced a deal over Iran's nuclear program -- and now Congress will weigh in. We're close to the finish line for this deal -- but Congress could still get in the way. This has been called "...the most consequential national security vote taken by Congress since the decision to authorize the invasion of Iraq." It is time for lawmakers to choose peace over war.

The peace deal reached on Tuesday with Iran, thwarting any nuclear weapon production, is one of the most important diplomatic accomplishments of the century so far. It demonstrates that intelligence, patience, creativity and an openness to conflict resolution can prevent war.

Exclusive: The neocon strategy of “regime change” has proved financially costly and strategically disastrous – setting almost the entire Middle East on fire – but almost no lessons have been learned, no accountability assessed, and no relevant questions asked, writes ex-U.S. diplomat William R. Polk.

The rising crescendo of bickering and acrimony within Europe might seem to outsiders to be the inevitable result of the bitter endgame playing out between Greece and its creditors. In fact, European leaders are finally beginning to reveal the true nature of the ongoing debt dispute, and the answer is not pleasant: it is about power and democracy much more than money and economics.

Of course, the economics behind the programme that the “troika” (the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund) foisted on Greece five years ago has been abysmal, resulting in a 25% decline in the country’s GDP. I can think of no depression, ever, that has been so deliberate and had such catastrophic consequences: Greece’s rate of youth unemployment, for example, now exceeds 60%.

The following is a message from our friends at Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. The pro-capital punishment petition drive to reinstate the death penalty is in full swing. Volunteers are being sought to help get information out to possible petition signers. Nebraskans for Peace wants to help get the word out so we can mobilize our supporters to help in this important effort.

Nebraskans for Public Safety is excited to launch volunteer efforts across the state to educate people about the problems with the death penalty BEFORE they can sign the petition to bring to the ballot an effort to undo our repeal. NADP wants to do our best to help engage our wonderful supporters in this effort. Volunteers can help with things such as petition fraud monitoring and handing out educational materials where petitions gatherers are working. In particular, we really need help in Lincoln. The referendum group is pushing their people all over the city and we need to engage our Lincoln support as quickly as possible. Will you please consider volunteering? Our opposition is working hard, but we’ve got the best volunteers in this state! Let’s get out there and show Nebraskans that repeal of the death penalty was the best decision for our state. To sign up to volunteer, simply follow this link and complete the form. Nebraskans for Public Safety will then contact you to get you set up to volunteer.

Pope Francis’ major encyclical (teaching letter) on the environment (focusing on climate change) is not unusual for its scientific content—many individuals and groups have emphasized the serious nature of global warming in hundreds of reports. However, the rollout of this document in June was very notable for the strategy used to publicize it, and distinguished by its large audience: 1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide. The document is also very unusual for its fusion of scientific support with moral persuasion. “I wish to address every person living on this planet,” the Pope wrote.

About Nebraskans for Peace

A Tradition of Peacemaking: As the oldest statewide Peace & Justice organization in the country, Nebraskans for Peace is the acknowledged voice on peace and social justice issues in Nebraska politics. Building upon the long tradition of peacemaking in our state, we have continually advocated for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts, while steadfastly promoting the rights of all people throughout our decades-long history. On issues of military intervention and foreign policy, economic justice, the environment, nonviolence education, capital punishment and gender and racial equality, Nebraskans for Peace stands up for what is right, whether it’s politically popular or not. And we are committed to upholding this tradition of conscience, justice and peacemaking for generations to come. We invite you to join us!